Paul McInnes, LLP: Attorneys Seek to Protect Women

For decades, women have relied on various products to help them feel fresh all day. Many of us used powder every morning, just as our mothers did. Heaven forbid that we should ever sweat or smell less than clean! But according to attorneys at the Paul McInnes LLP law firm, we’re now discovering the companies that sold the products we applied religiously to our bodies knew they were linked to a silent killer: ovarian cancer.

“Johnson & Johnson sold baby powder and Shower to Shower that were talc-based products. Their marketing was targeted to women, promising that by using these products they would feel fresh and clean,” shared Ashlea Schwarz, attorney at Paul McInnes LLP. “Generations of women put talc-based powder in their underwear and on their sanitary products. But now we know that talc is linked to ovarian cancer.”

INCREASED RISK
According to a report in the Journal of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, regular use of talc products in the genital area increases a woman’s odds of developing ovarian cancer by a mindboggling 30 percent. The study says when talc products are applied to the genital area, the particles can travel up the vagina, along the fallopian tubes and into the ovaries. With the possibility that these talc molecules can stay in the ovaries for decades, tissue inflammation can result. According to the research, such chronic inflammation can contribute to the development of cancer. In many pathology reports, talc can be found inside the tumors associated with ovarian cancer.

According to Ashlea, Johnson & Johnson’s own documents show that it knew about these risks for decades yet did nothing. As early as 1971, reports stated that talc was associated with ovarian cancer. In 1982, the first epidemiologic study was performed, which revealed a 92 percent increased risk for ovarian cancer associated with talc use. Rather than warn consumers, Johnson & Johnson actually tried to increase sales of talc products.

Now that the risk of ovarian cancer is finally coming to light, victims are beginning to pursue lawsuits. In February, a Missouri jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $72 million to the family of a woman who died from ovarian cancer linked to her long-term use of talc products.

CONSUMER PROTECTION
Paul McInnes LLP, which is based in Missouri but litigates cases nationwide, is one of the firms leading the way, enabling women and their families to be recognized for their suffering and forcing companies to take responsibility for their failures. The attorneys at Paul McInnes LLP take cases to change industries and protect consumers, not just to win compensation.

“You wouldn’t believe the amount of relief this news gives women with ovarian cancer. It allows them to point to something that contributed to their cancer and not shoulder the blame,” shared Sue Becker, attorney at Paul McInnes LLP. “In fact, we tell them their case is like a lot of other women’s cases. They understand now why getting ovarian cancer wasn’t their fault.”

If you have developed ovarian cancer or lost a loved one due to ovarian cancer, Ashlea, Sue and others at Paul McInnes LLP are here to help you. “If you have or have had ovarian cancer, call us. We’ll walk you through a simple series of questions about your talc use. If your experiences with Johnson & Johnson’s products are in line with the studies, then we’ll have you sign a medical release to obtain your files,” stated Ashlea. “We’ll retrieve your tissue samples and have our physicians review the records to determine whether talc was a contributing factor to your cancer.”

RECOURSE AVAILABLE
And compensation isn’t limited to women. Many mothers and wives have already passed from their ovarian cancer, yet their loved ones still have recourse. “Families have just as strong a case as the woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer that’s linked to talc products. Family members bring the claim on behalf of a deceased person,” revealed Sue. “A decedent’s claim still exists and an estate can bring it after her death. Normally, we can go back ten years because hospitals typically keep the tissue samples for that long. There are also statutes of limitations that affect these cases. The legal parameters of your case will be determined and discussed when you call us.”

“Seeking compensation for your suffering from ovarian cancer is a large part of our efforts, but we also want to protect other women,” stated Ashlea. “When there’s a united front with victims demanding justice, companies are more likely to make changes. These types of cases will make companies sit up, listen and do the right thing to protect women.” ■

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